Archives for November 2016

By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer
OAK GROVE – For most of her life, Stacy Miller has struggled with life’s setbacks.
Now a single mother with two boys – one who is autistic – Miller said she just did not feel like she ever “fit in” when she stepped inside a church building.
That is until Oct. 6, when she visited Unity Baptist Church in Oak Grove, let go of her past and accepted Christ as King.
Three days later, Miller and her 12-year-old autistic son were baptized.
“My life has changed, as I feel loved and more at peace,” Miller said. “I found God’s love is even greater than I could have imagined. I am very blessed to be a part of Unity Baptist Church, where we take the church out of the sanctuary.”
Miller’s story is echoed by many of the members of Unity Baptist Church.
Located in northeast Louisiana, the church has grown from 35 members attending Sunday morning worship in 2010 to 180 who show up on an average Sunday now. In order to accommodate the growth the church built a 6,000-sq.-ft. worship center that seats 250 – a capacity it has surpassed a few times.
The growth has been fueled by the nearly 200 baptisms that have taken place in a four-year period, including 81 this year alone.
On most … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA – In May 2015, Sgt. Scott Bullitt was shot while conducting a DUI stop just outside of Monroe on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area in Ouachita Parish.
After months of rehab therapy, Bullitt – the son of Louisiana Baptist Convention employee Cindy Bullitt – still faces difficulties as he works toward recovery.
During the final session of the 2016 LBC Annual Meeting, messengers honored Bullitt and other law enforcement officers during a presentation by Bill Robertson, pastoral leadership director for Louisiana Baptists.
“We pray that God would touch him, restore him to his health, that he could do the things he longs to do and wants to do,” Robertson prayed, as pastors, friends and fellow officers of the law surrounded Bullitt. “And as we pray for him, we remember all of our brothers and sisters that are in law enforcement gathered here today.”
Messengers also were led in prayer for members of the Louisiana State Police, Alexandria Police, Pineville Police, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebone Parish Sheriff’s office and Winn Parish Sheriff’s office, who were gathered on stage.
“The badge has become a target for … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor
BATON ROUGE – During a joint meeting of the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee, Nov. 18, House members handed a defeat to Gov. John Bel Edwards in his attempt by executive order to create a special civil rights category for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Specifically, these lawmakers voted to remove an LGBT non-discrimination provision included in a state insurance contract that was drafted to comply with an Edwards mandate issued in April, granting protected class status for sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to “state employees and employees of state contractors.”
In May, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion at the request of 32 Louisiana legislators, declaring Edwards’ action to be “non-binding policy” and an attempt “to bypass the legislative process.”
Rep. Rick Edmonds, retired pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, made the motion to strip the language from the contract. Joining him to reject the LGBT clause, were Rep. Mark Abraham, Rep. Beryl Amedee, Rep. Tony Bacala, Rep. Larry Bagley, Rep. John Berthelot, Rep. Lance Harris, Rep. Cameron Henry, Rep. Bob Hensgins, Rep. Katrina Jackson, Rep. Jack … [Read more...]

By Franklin Graham
Chinese President Xi Jinping made a statement that caught my eye. He said, “Comrade Castro will live forever.”
That is true.
All of us have a soul that is going to live forever in one of two places—Heaven or Hell. What we do here on earth determines where we will spend eternity.
The only way to Heaven is by accepting God’s plan for our salvation—believing in His Son Jesus Christ and following Him as Lord. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).
Do you know where you will spend eternity? … [Read more...]

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Editorial

By Waylon Bailey
The Apostle James prepared the people of his day and all those believers who have followed after to resist the devil and to live for God in a culture that opposes God. He gave amazing advice which fits any people at any time (James 4:7-10).
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, … Continue Reading.

By Waylon Bailey
The Apostle James prepared the people of his day and all those believers who have followed after to resist the devil and to live for God in a culture that opposes God. He gave amazing advice which fits any people at any time (James 4:7-10).
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, … Continue Reading.